Technegas: Package Insert / Prescribing Info

2.1 Radiation Safety-Drug Handling

Handle Technegas Aerosol with appropriate safety measures to minimize radiation exposure to the patient and healthcare providers. During preparation and handling, use waterproof gloves and effective shielding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Radiopharmaceuticals should be used by or under the control of healthcare providers who are qualified by specific training and experience in the safe use and handling of radionuclides, and whose experience and training have been approved by the appropriate governmental agency authorized to license the use of radionuclides.

2.2 Recommended Dose

The activity present in the lungs after each inhalation varies. Follow the pulmonary count rate during oral inhalation of Technegas Aerosol, using a gamma camera equipped with a standard collimator (low energy, low/medium resolution).

For adult patients, the recommended activity of sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m injection to be loaded in the Technegas Crucible is 400 MBq to 1,000 MBq (10.8 mCi to 27 mCi) to achieve a lung count rate between 1,500 counts per second (cps) and 2,500 cps at the end of the last respiration. Discontinue Technegas Aerosol administration at that point.

For pediatric patients aged 6 years and older, a sufficient amount of Technegas Aerosol should be inhaled until a lung count rate is obtained between 500 cps and 1,000 cps at the end of last respiration. Discontinue administration at that point. The radioactivity to be loaded in the Technegas Crucible for pediatric patients aged 6 years and older is a fraction of the recommended activity for adults, and is adjusted by body weight as listed in Table 1.

2.3 Administration Instructions

Administer Technegas Aerosol by oral inhalation using an FDA-cleared radionuclide rebreathing system for Technegas Aerosol (e.g., Patient Administration Set from Cyclomedica) that connects directly to the Technegas Plus System (TP) as soon as possible following preparation and complete inhalation within 10 minutes of preparation.

Monitor oxygen saturation level in patients with an oximeter [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Be prepared to allow patients to breathe room air during administration. Do not detach the patient administration set (PAS) from the patient to prevent residual aerosol from being released.

Prepare the patient in the imaging room or a preparation room before preparing Technegas Aerosol. For complete instructions on patient preparation, breathing techniques, and operation of the TP during administration, see the User Manual for the TP.

To facilitate uniform delivery of the aerosol from the apex-to-base of the lungs, perform the administration with the patient in the supine position.

Recommended Breathing Method

• For adult patients, the recommended breathing method to inhale the aerosol is through the mouthpiece by slow deep breathing from the residual functional capacity (end of calm expiration), followed by a 5-second breath-hold.
• For patients unable to hold their breath, normal breathing with deep inhalations without breath- holding can be used.
• For pediatric patients aged 6 years and older, instruct the patient to inhale the aerosol through the mouthpiece or inhalation line by normal breathing with deep inhalations without breath- holding.

When the adequate pulmonary counts are achieved for imaging, the patient must continue exhaling air through the filter equipped exhalation circuit of the PAS for five breaths to six breaths to trap residual aerosol being exhaled.

The PAS is single use only and should be disposed of as radioactive waste.

2.4 Preparation of Technegas Aerosol

Important Preparation Information

• Prepare Technegas Aerosol in the Technegas Plus System ( TP) using the supplied Technegas Crucible. See the User Manual for a comprehensive description of the setup, operation, and maintenance of the TP.
• Use Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m Injection, USP obtained from a commercially available technetium Tc 99m generator.
• Only use ultra high purity (> 99.997% purity with less than 3 ppm oxygen) argon gas. The presence of oxygen in argon gas during the process of formation of Technegas Aerosol may lead to formation of Pertechnegas Aerosol (instead of Technegas Aerosol), which may affect the image quality.
• Wear protective gloves, aprons, and masks for radiation protection and infection control.
• Handle Technegas Crucibles with forceps. Any oil from the skin will reduce connection efficiency and Technegas yield.
• Prepare Technegas Aerosol using the TP at 15° to 30oC (59° to 86oF) in a ventilated area that is suitable for using radioactive materials (e.g., Nuclear Medicine Department) near the patient, to enable timely (within 10 minutes) administration [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)].
• The maximum use period for the TP is one year or 500 burn cycles, whichever occurs first. After this period, ask Cyclomedica to perform maintenance and recertify the TP for use.

Preparation:

1. Using forceps, remove a Technegas Crucible from its blister pack, inspect the crucible to ensure that it is free of chips or cracks, and place it on a clean flat surface. Store unused crucibles in the original packaging.

   ( Note: When a blister pack of 10 crucibles is used for the first time, remove the tamper-proof seal to facilitate access to the crucibles. Then carefully remove one crucible (for preparation of each patient’s dose) from the blister pack and reinsert the cardboard backing material to cover all remaining crucibles in their respective individual blister pockets. This prevents ingress of any contaminating material from the immediate environment and allows the crucibles to be securely stored).

2. Prepare the Alcohol, USP (i.e.,95%ethanol) wetted crucible. Using a 1mL syringe, fill the crucible reservoir (approximately 0.1 mL) with Alcohol and then draw it back in the syringe.

3. Open the Technegas Plus System drawer and install the Alcohol wetted crucible between the support electrodes using forceps (see the Technegas Plus System User Manual for details on installation of the Technegas Crucible).

4. Rotate the crucible to ensure that good electrical contact is made with the support electrodes (Technegas Contacts); ensure the crucible reservoir is upright.

5. For adult patients, using a 1mL syringe with needle, load 400MBq to 1,000MBq (10.8mCito 27 mCi) of Sodium Pertechnetate Tc99m Injection, USP, in a volume of 0.1 mL while ensuring that the liquid meniscus does not exceed the height of the Crucible (the maximum crucible volume is 0.12 mL, and adding excess volume can lead to radioactive spill in the TP and may lead to formation of aerosol of free pertechnetate Tc 99m that may deteriorate image quality). For the recommended loading activity of Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m Injection in pediatric patients aged 6 years and older, refer to Table 1 [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)].

6. Close the drawer and run the SIMMER heating cycle to evaporate the liquid fromthecrucible reservoir. The process continues for 6 minutes, leaving a dry white residue of sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m and sodium chloride in the crucible. During this time the TP chamber is also completely filled with the argon gas (note: 100% argon atmosphere is necessary to prepare pure Technegas Aerosol). When the simmer is complete, the display will read: PRESS [START] TO INITIATE BURN.

7. Run the BURN heating cycle, during which the crucible containing the dry residue of sodium chloride and pertechnetate Tc 99m is heated to 2,750°C (4,982°F) for 15 seconds in TP, to produce Technegas Aerosol. At the end of BURN cycle, the display will change to “DISCONNECT THE MAINS PLEASE”.

   ( Note: At this time the argon gas supply is turned OFF and the argon gas line can be disconnected. The main power on the TP can be switched OFF. The TP will remain powered ON from an internal battery for Technegas Aerosol administration to the patient. The TP may be moved to the patient as required.)

8. Administer Technegas Aerosol as soon as possible following preparation and completethe inhalation within 10 minutes of its preparation. Do not use after 10 minutes of preparation. [See the TP User Manual for connecting the PAS to the patient and to the TP.]

9. The crucible is single use only. The TP breaks the crucible at the end of Technegas Aerosol production to prevent re-use. Crucible fragments are radioactive and should be disposed appropriately. Refer to the Technegas Plus System User Manual for detailed information.

2.5 Radiation Dosimetry

The estimated radiation absorbed doses to various organs are shown in Table 2. The dose limiting organ is the lungs at 0.11 mGy/MBq.

The effective dose resulting from an estimated inhaled activity of 40 MBq (1.08 mCi) in adults is 0.6 mSv. The effective dose in a 10-year old pediatric patient from estimated inhaled activity of 15 MBq (0.41 mCi) is 0.47 mSv.

**Technegas Aerosol is not approved for pediatric patients younger than 6 years old [see Indications and Usage (1)].

5.1 Decreased Oxygen Saturation

Decrease in oxygen saturation may occur during or after the inhalation of Technegas Aerosol. Oxygen saturation nadirs as low as 60% have been reported in a published study [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. In an efficacy trial, 79% of patients received supplemental oxygen or had the flow of Technegas Aerosol interrupted. Patients with compromised respiratory function may be at increased risk for decreased oxygen saturation. Monitor oxygen saturation with continuous pulse oximetry. If clinically indicated, allow patients to breathe room air throughout the procedure and consider administration of supplemental oxygen before and at any time during the procedure.

5.2 Radiation Exposure Risk

Technegas Aerosol contributes to a patient’s overall long-term cumulative radiation exposure. Long-term cumulative radiation exposure is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Ensure safe handling and preparation procedures to protect patients and health care providers from unintentional radiation exposure.

5.3 Bronchospasm

As with other inhaled aerosol medications, Technegas Aerosol may result in acute bronchoconstriction, especially in patients with heightened bronchoreactivity, such as patients with asthma or other lung or allergic disorders. Monitor all patients for bronchospasm.

6.1 Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

The safety of Technegas Aerosol was evaluated in 291 patients undergoing ventilation studies with prospective data collection. Patients received an amount of Technegas Aerosol to achieve 1,500 cps to 2,500 cps by oral inhalation. The mean age of patients was 60 years (range:18 to 95 years); distribution by race was 92 % White, 7% Black or African American, 0.3 % Asian, and 0.3 % unreported; and distribution by ethnicity was 4% Hispanic/Latino and 96 % non-Hispanic/Latino.

Adverse reactions were reported in 10 patients (3.4%). The adverse reaction occurring at ≥ 1% in patients receiving Technegas Aerosol was hypoxia (1%).

Adverse reactions reported at < 1% were dizziness, dysgeusia, cough, dyspnea [not otherwise specified], throat irritation, and upper respiratory tract congestion.

In one published study, oxygen saturation was monitored in a series of patients undergoing Technegas Aerosol ventilation scintigraphy for suspected pulmonary embolism (n=28) or pulmonary disease (n=10). Of these 38 patients without pre-oxygenation, oxygen saturation fell to < 90% in 26 (68%) patients and < 85% in 15 (39%) patients. The recorded lowest value for each patient was usually observed after the first or second inhalation.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Available data with Technegas Aerosol use in pregnant women from several small retrospective studies are insufficient to evaluate for a drug associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. The radiation dose to the fetus after inhalation of Technegas Aerosol has ranged from 0.007 mGy to 0.14 mGy (see Data). Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Technegas Aerosol. However, all radiopharmaceuticals, including Technegas Aerosol have the potential to cause fetal harm depending on the fetal stage of development and the magnitude of the radiation dose. If considering Technetium Aerosol administration to a pregnant woman, inform the patient of the potential for adverse pregnancy outcomes based on the radiation dose from Technetium Aerosol and the gestational timing of exposure.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risks of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies are 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data

Human Data

The radiation dose to the fetus after inhalation of Technegas Aerosol was calculated according to the stage of gestation, ranging from 0.007 mGy at the early stage through 3-months of gestation up to 0.011 mGy to 0.14 mGy at 6-months and 9-months of gestation, respectively. No adverse fetal effects or radiation-related risks have been identified for diagnostic procedures involving less than 50 mGy, which represents less than 10 mGy fetal doses.

8.2 Lactation

Risk Summary
There are no data on the presence of Technegas Aerosol in human milk, the effects of Technegas Aerosol on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Published case reports describe the presence of technetium-99 in human milk. Based on clinical guidelines, exposure of Technetium Aerosol to a breast fed infant may be minimized by advising a lactating woman to pump and discard breast milk for a minimum of 4 hours after administration of Technegas Aerosol. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for Technegas Aerosol and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Technegas Aerosol or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use

The safety and effectiveness of Technegas Aerosol for lung ventilation imaging to visualize pulmonary ventilation and pulmonary embolism when paired with perfusion have been established in pediatric patients aged 6 years and older.

The safety and effectiveness of Technegas Aerosol with the patient administration set have not been established in pediatric patients less than 6 years of age.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Of the total number of patients receiving Technegas Aerosol in clinical studies for lung ventilation imaging, 122 (41.9 %) were 65 years of age and older, while 58 (20 %) were 75 years of age and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between elderly and younger patients.

11.1 Chemical Characteristics

​TECHNEGAS (kit for the preparation of technetium Tc 99m-labeled carbon inhalation aerosol) is a 1.25 gram black to dark grey graphite carbon crucible (Technegas Crucible). Graphite is a polymorph of the element carbon, appears opaque, and crystallizes in the hexagonal system. The crucible has the following appearance and physical dimensions:

Technegas Crucible when used with sodium pertechnetate Tc 99m injection, USP in the Technegas Plus System (also commonly referred to as TechnegasPlus Technegas Generator or TP), provides technetium Tc 99m-labeled carbon inhalation aerosol in argon gas (Technegas Aerosol), a radioactive diagnostic agent for oral inhalation.

During the process of formation of technetium Tc 99m-labeled carbon inhalation aerosol, when dried pertechnetate Tc 99m in Technegas Crucible is heated to 2,750°C (4,982°F) for 15 seconds in the TP using the Alternate Current arc, both the technetium and a portion of the carbon crucible are volatilized. The reduction of pertechnetate Tc 99m results in elemental technetium Tc 99m that serves as a nucleation site for the condensing of the volatile carbon, producing hydrophobic particles made up of a technetium Tc 99m core surrounded by layers of carbon. More than 90% of the technetium Tc 99m activity is technetium Tc 99m-labeled carbon particles. More than 80% of technetium Tc 99m carbon aerosol particles are < 0.92 micrometer in size. The technetium Tc 99m carbon particles are suspended in argon gas as an aerosol for inhalation. The concentration of carbon labeled particles in argon depends on the amount of technetium Tc 99m used but is less than 98 mcg/liter in Technegas Crucible loading of 0.1ml of Sodium Pertechnetate Tc99m.

11.2 Physical Characteristics

Technetium-99m decays by isomeric transition with a physical half-life of 6 hours. The photon that is useful for imaging studies is listed in Table 4.

The specific gamma-ray constant for technetium Tc 99m is 5.23 m2·pGy·(MBq)−1·s−1 [0.795 cm2·R·(mCi)−1·h−1]. The first half-value thickness of lead for technetium-99m is 0.017 cm (Pb). A range of values for the relative attenuation of the radiation emitted by this radionuclide that results from the interposition of various thicknesses of lead is shown in Table 5. For example, the use of 3 mm thickness of lead will decrease the external radiation exposure by a factor of 1,000.

To correct for physical decay of this radionuclide, the fractions that remain at selected time intervals after the time of calibration are shown in Table 6.

*Calibration Time

12.1 Mechanism of Action

When the Technegas Aerosol particles are inhaled, they are mechanically deposited on the epithelium of ventilated pulmonary bronchioles and alveoli. Localization of the aerosol is not mediated by specific pharmacologic receptors; rather the distribution is determined by the aerodynamic function of the lungs.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

Technegas Aerosol has no known pharmacological effects.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Distribution

After inhalation, Technegas Aerosol is adsorbed on the walls of pulmonary bronchioles and alveoli. The distribution within the lungs is determined by the size and aerodynamic properties of the individual particles. Following inhalation, the particles are retained in the lung. The redistribution of Technegas Aerosol following inhalation to human subjects has been monitored for as long as 70 hours without evidence of particulate translocation.

Elimination
There is no intravascular clearance, and the elimination of radioactivity occurs by the physical decay of the Technetium-99m. The Technegas Aerosol particles that are deposited in the mouth and along the mucociliary elevator are cleared by swallowing or expectoration. The particles that deposit in the alveolar region are cleared by alveolar macrophages.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No long-term animal studies have been performed to evaluate carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or whether this drug affects fertility in males or females.